Photos by Ray Hamill/HumboldtSports.com – There was little to separate Eureka’s Ian Bennett and Fortuna’s Collin Stockwell for much of Wednesday’s race, with Stockwell pulling away late for the win.

By Ray Hamill — Fortuna’s Collin Stockwell edged Eureka’s Ian Bennett for the second straight week in H-DNL boys cross country on Wednesday afternoon, but this time around it was the Loggers who took the team win.

Competing at the Arcata Marsh, Stockwell and Bennett pulled away from the rest of the field early and decisively, making it a two-runner affair for the second straight week.

And for the second straight week, it was Stockwell who found the extra gear down the stretch to sneak the win.

“Collin is just so strong right now,” Eureka head coach Matt Messner said. “But I do think this is a great rivalry.”

So too is the Eureka/Fortuna team rivalry, with the two programs accounting for the top 10 runners on Wednesday.

After seeing the Huskies edge the team win at Del Norte last week, it was the Loggers who took the victory this time, 25-30.

Key to their success this week — in addition to Bennett — was the performance of Kaelan Docherty who moved up from fifth to third and is enjoying an outstanding start to the season.

Fortuna’s Antonio Garcinuno was fourth, followed in fifth by Eureka’s Thomas Becannon, another Logger who made a big move this week.

“We had a bunch of guys move up,” Messner said. “So I was really proud of our guys. It’s a really exciting and competitive matchup (with Fortuna) and the next time we go up against them they’ll be on alert.”

Daniel Shaver (seventh) and Jordan Urban (eighth) each also placed in the top 10 for Eureka.

Final times and the complete results were still not available on Wednesday night, including the Fortuna finishers. Humboldt Sports will publish them when they become available.

As for Bennett, Messner believes he still has what it takes to beat the high-flying Stockwell and that his preparation for the season has been impressive.

“The main thing with Ian is he’s been consistent throughout the whole pandemic with his training,” the head coach said.

For a report and video highlights of Wednesday’s girls race, see Macdonald sisters dominate once again at H-DNL meet …